Byron Generating Station Contributing $10,000 to Area Environmental Non-Profits While Continuing Its Own Legacy of Wildlife Conservation and Stewardship

Employees and volunteers have planted hundreds of trees on nuclear plant property, milkweed plants for monarch butterflies, & cleared invasive vegetation

BYRON, Ill. (June 22, 2023) — Constellation’s Byron Generating Station is contributing a total of $10,000 to four area environmental non-profit organizations, while its employee-led conservation club continues ecological improvements on the more than 1,700 acres of the nuclear plant’s property in northern Illinois. The donations to groups focused on Rock River preservation and community ecological efforts, combined with station employee conservation events, is a logical pairing of business and community efforts to maintain the state’s natural resources and help combat the negative effects of climate change.

“We’ve planted milkweed along with warm season grasses and summer flowers on hundreds of acres of Constellation property to restore the natural habitat for wildlife and create a sanctuary for the diminishing monarch butterfly population,” said Byron Station employee Matt Hinkle, president of the plant’s employee conservation club. “Our club members, employees and their families have helped with numerous projects like tree plant and invasive brush clearing to make our extended property a wonderful oasis for area wildlife.”

The $10,000 gift to area environmental non-profits will be split evenly between:

• “Hoo” Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center – Dedicated to rehabilitating and releasing sick, injured and orphaned North American wildlife, and educating individuals to the importance of the conservation of Mother Earth, to maintain the land, clean and beautiful for all.
• Rockford Park District Foundation – Its mission is to assist the Rockford Park District in its pursuit of a quality park and recreation system in order to help people in our community enjoy life.
• Forest Preserves of Winnebago County – Dedicated to protecting, conserving, enhancing and promoting Winnebago County's natural heritage for the environmental, educational and recreational benefit of present and future generations.
• Rock River Coalition – Dedicated to preserving and improving water resources throughout the Rock River Basin and to educate and provide opportunities for people of diverse interests to work together to improve the environmental, recreational, cultural and economic resources in the Rock River Basin.

“Hoo Haven remains committed to help area wildlife, and contributions like these from Constellation are vital to helping us treat injured animals,” said Steven Herdklotz of Hoo Haven. “Our organization is working to acquire a portable X-ray machine and expand some veterinary services. These funds come at a perfect time to help us continue our mission.”

Byron Generating Station is a certified “Silver” business by the Wildlife Habitat Council. The plant is located in Ogle County, Ill., about 100 miles northwest of Chicago. With both units at full power, the site produces more than 2,300 megawatts, enough electricity to power the equivalent of more than 1.7 million average American homes.